1. Writing Complex Sentences

2. #1: Simple Sentence
A simple sentence has one subject and one verb and is also called an independent clause.
I like to study grammar.
An independent clause ends with a period or semicolon.

3. I love you. Simple sentence
One subject
I love you.
One verb
Independent clause: only one subject and one verb

4. #2: Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences joined by one of the following:
A comma and one of the FANBOYS
I like to study grammar, and I love this class.
A semicolon
I like to study grammar; I love this class.
A semicolon and a transitional
I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class.

5. I love you, and you love me.
Compound sentence
Independent clause
I love you, and you love me.
Independent clause
Two independent clauses joined together

6. #3: Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a simple sentence (independent clause) to which a part of a sentence (dependent clause) has been added.
Because I like to study grammar, I love this class.
I love this class because I like to study grammar.

7. Because you love me, I love you.
Complex sentence
Dependent clause
Because you love me, I love you.
Independent clause
A dependent clause joined to an independent clause. (The dependent clause needs the rest of the sentence for support.)

8. Fragment! Because you love me. Dependent clause
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb. It begins with a subordinating conjunction, and thus it does not express a completed thought. A dependent clause is also called a subordinate clause.
Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone.

9. A Tip on Punctuation
Since dependent clauses are only part of a sentence, you can never connect them to another sentence with a semicolon. Semicolons are only used between two independent clauses.
I have loved you for years ; although I never admitted it.
I have loved you for years, although I never admitted it.
No! OK

10. Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions
after
even if
now that
that
where
although
even though
once
though
whereas as if
rather than
unless
wherever
as if
whenever
since
until
whether
because
in order
so that
when
which
before
than
in case
while

11. #4: Compound/Complex Sentence
A compound/complex sentence is the last and most complicated type of sentence.
It contains at least one dependent clause and at least two independent clauses.

12. Compound complex sentence
Dependent clause
Because we are a family, I love you, and you love me.
2 independent clauses
A dependent clause added to two or more independent clauses

13. Since every sentence in English fits into one of these four categories,
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound/
complex

14. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU NOW KNOW EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
To write anything you want to write
Any way you want to write it
And still get the punctuation right each time!
CONGRATULATIONS!